Minneapolis Bike Parking Requirements
Am I required to provide cycle parking in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis requires bicycle parking for many new developments, expansions, and changes of use, while certain types are exempt:
- ✓ Most commercial, office, institutional, and multifamily residential projects require bicycle parking.
- ✘ Non-residential uses under 1,000 SF are generally exempt.
- ✘ Single-, two-, and three-family homes have no requirement.
Minneapolis code distinguishes between:
Short-Term Bike Parking (for customers, visitors, guests)
- Located within 50 feet of a primary entrance
- Easily visible and accessible from the public way.
- Allow users to lock the frame and wheel
Long-Term Bike Parking (for residents, employees, tenants)
- Protected from theft, vandalism, and weather
- Enclosed, secured, supervised, or weather-protected
- Accessible to intended users
- For residential uses, not be located inside dwelling units
- At least 50% of required long-term spaces accessible without stairs or an elevator
- Includes access to electricity in residential bicycle rooms
- No more than 75% of required bicycle parking spaces may be provided in racks that require lifting a bicycle into place.
Design Requirements for Racks
Regardless of parking type, each required bicycle parking space must:
- ✓ Be accessible without moving another bicycle
- ✓ Not obstruct required walkways
- ✓ Include a rack that allows the bicycle frame to be secured
- ✓ Support the bicycle in a stable position
- ✓ Accommodate a range of bicycle sizes and styles
- ✓ Be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
The code specifically encourages accommodation of electric bicycles and cargo bicycles through greater clearances and spacing.
What are the bike parking requirements for my project?
| Project Type |
Bike Parking Requirement |
Example |
| Multi-Family Residential (4+ Units) |
1 bike space per dwelling unit
At least 90% long-term parking |
100-unit apartment building
- 100 total bike spaces
- 90 long-term minimum
- 10 short-term maximum
|
| Office Building |
1 bike space per 4,000 ft2 of GFA (min. 3 spaces)
At least 50% long-term parking
At least 5% short-term parking
|
40,000 ft2 Office
- 10 bicycle parking spaces required
- At least 5 long-term spaces
- At least 1 short-term space
|
| Retail |
1 bike space per 5,000 ft2 of GFA (min. 3 spaces) |
15,000 ft2 Retail Store
- At least 3 short-term spaces
|
| Grocery Store |
1 bike space per 2,000 ft2 of GFA (min. 3 spaces) |
20,000 ft2 Retail Store
- At least 10 short-term spaces
|
| Sports and Fitness Facility |
1 bike space per 10,000 ft2 of GFA
At least 50% short-term |
50,000 ft2 Sports Arena
- 5 spaces required
- At least 3 short-term spaces
|
| Schools K-12 |
3 bike spaces per classroom
At least 50% short-term |
20 classroom school
- 60 spaces required
- At least 30 short-term spaces
|
Bicycle Facilities for Large Developments
Projects with 200,000 ft2 or more of new or additional floor area must provide enhanced bicycle facilities.
Applies to:
- ✓ Most large commercial and institutional projects
Does NOT apply to:
- ✘ Hotels
- ✘ Retail
- ✘ Residential
- ✘ Warehousing/Storage Facilities
Required Facilities
| Facility |
Requirement for first 200,000 ft2 of GFA |
Requirement for additional space over 200,000 ft2 of GFA |
| Bicycle Parking |
1 space per 2,000 ft2 of GFA |
1 space per 2,000 ft2 of GFA |
| Showers |
1 shower per 25,000 ft2 of GFA |
1 additional shower per 50,000 ft2 of GFA |
| Storage Lockers |
1 locker per 5,000 ft2 of GFA |
1 additional locker per 10,000 ft2 of GFA |
These requirements come from Minneapolis Code §555.240, Table 555‑3, Bicycle Facility Requirements. Consult city documentation directly for most authoritative and current information.
Source: Minneapolis City Code: 555.230. – Bicycle parking requirements.
If you walked away from a fruitless job interview in college, would you expect to be working at that company as their Director of Marketing a decade later? Bri probably didn’t think so. In this installment of Dero history, she tells us about her custom touring bike and what it was like to interview with Dero during the company’s infancy.
How long have you been at Dero?
Since June 2013…just over two years now.
Do you ride bikes?
Yes!
Where is your favorite place ride?
I’m falling back in love with the Gateway Trail. Earlier this spring I was exploring with a friend and we found the connector trail to Stillwater. It was so great to ride 99% trails from my home in South Minneapolis all the way to Stillwater.
What is your favorite bike to ride?
My favorite bike was my blue Dawes commuter/touring bike that I had built in Australia and shipped back home, but it was stolen last fall. We had so many adventures together – touring solo in Tasmania, Bicycle Film Festival in Sydney, 30 Days of Biking in Minneapolis. But our engineer Joel made me a new, custom steel bike (via Clockwork Bikes), it’s my new favorite! It was designed for commuting and touring, so it has stable handling and comfortable geometry for long rides, as well as all the necessary braze-ons for racks and fenders. The color I chose is inspired by my trip to Thailand earlier this year. I’ve only taken it on a few long rides so far, and I can’t wait to take it on a multi-day adventure.
What sets us apart from other bike rack manufacturers?
The majority of Dero folks are avid bicyclists, so we make sure our products provide solutions for people on bikes. We only make products that we would like to use. Also, Dero has a strong history of advocacy and continues to support organizations all around the country. It’s great to work for a company that gives back.
Favorite rack, and why you like it?
Currently, the Cycle Dock is my favorite. It looks amazing – sleek and refined.
Do you have any funny stories from working at Dero?
During my interview I had a moment of déjà vu when Andy mentioned that Dero used to be located above Bullwinkle’s. Back in college, I had an interview for an admin position for a bike rack company above a bar. I remember climbing the steep stairs to the office. It had tons of boxes everywhere, and not much else. I honestly thought it was a front for laundering money or something, but that was Dero! (I did not get the job.)
Why do people love Dero racks?
People love the quality of our products and our customer service. Our goal is to make our customers and their bikers happy.
The 2008 Census American Community Survey results are out and more Americans are bicycling than ever. There’s still much room for improvement, but between 2000-2008, commuting to work by bicycle in the US has increased 43%. That’s HUGE! Dero hometown, Minneapolis keeps it’s second place of major cities increasing 10% over 2007 to 4.3%. Portland made the large jump in percentage and number of riders with an increase from 3.9% to 6%. See more stats below and find out how your city did with the American Fact Finder.
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|
Percent of American who bike to work
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|
|
2000 Census
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
2008
|
|
US
|
0.38%
|
0.40%
|
0.45%
|
0.48%
|
0.55%
|
|
|
Percent Change
|
|
|
|
|
2000 to 2008
|
2005 to 2008
|
2007 to 2008
|
|
|
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United States
|
43.40%
|
35.80%
|
14.30%
|
|
|
NOTES: The ACS numbers are estimated by the Census bureau based on samples taken year-round. The numbers in the tables above are rounded, if you calculate the percentages based on the rounded numbers, you’ll get different values than are presented in the second table.
